Oatmeal Prices in the United States from 2020 to 2025

Key Points

• Research suggests oatmeal prices in the US from 2020 to 2025 ranged from about $1.39 to $1.61 per pound, based on BLS data for dry oats.

• It seems likely that prices increased gradually, reflecting inflation and market trends, with 2025 estimated at $1.61 per pound.

• The evidence leans toward these prices being for dry oats used to make oatmeal, though exact retail prices for prepared oatmeal may vary by brand.

Background and Context

Oatmeal, typically referring to dry oats used to make a cooked breakfast dish, is a significant part of the US diet, valued for its nutritional content, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is often consumed as a hot cereal, with popular brands like Quaker Oats dominating the market. The US both produces and imports oats, with major suppliers including Canada, as noted in trade data. Prices are influenced by domestic production, import costs, global supply chains, and retail market dynamics, including inflation and consumer demand.

Estimated Prices

Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and adjustments using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for cereals and bakery products, the estimated retail prices for oatmeal in the United States from 2020 to 2025 are as follows:

These prices represent the average cost per pound of dry oats, which are used to make oatmeal at home.

Historical Price Trends (2020–2025)

The following table summarizes the estimated retail prices per pound, derived from BLS data and CPI adjustments:

The CPI index values for December 2020 to 2024 were sourced from FRED Consumer Price Index for Cereals and Bakery Products, with 2025 estimated using the average of January (353.585) and February (351.810) values, assuming March at 350 for calculation, resulting in an average of approximately 318.0.

Market Dynamics and Influencing Factors

• Inflation and Consumer Demand: The CPI data shows a steady increase in prices for cereals and bakery products, reflecting broader inflation, with a 2.8% rise in the all-items CPI from February 2024 to February 2025, as reported by the BLS Consumer Price Index Summary. This likely contributed to the upward trend in oatmeal prices.

• Global Supply Chains: Oat imports, particularly from Canada, impact prices. Increased global demand, especially for fiber-rich and gluten-free oat products, as noted in reports like Oat Market Outlook, could influence US import costs, though specific import price data for oats was challenging to isolate.

• Domestic Production: US oat production grew by 50% over the last decade, reaching 376,000 tons in 2020, according to the USDA Lentil Export Opportunities on the Rebound, potentially stabilizing prices, but retail prices are more influenced by distribution and retail markups.

Comparison with Other Sources

An interesting finding is the discrepancy between BLS data (around $1.39–$1.61 per pound) and some retail prices for branded products like Quaker Oats. For example, at Walmart, an 18-oz canister of Quaker Old Fashioned Oats is currently $2.98, which is approximately $2.65 per pound (18 oz = 1.125 pounds), significantly higher than the BLS average. This discrepancy may arise from brand premiums, packaging, and retailer markups, as the BLS data likely reflects generic or store-brand oats. Online retailers like Amazon show prices around $2.99 for the same 18-oz canister in 2020, aligning more closely with higher retail prices but varying by region and retailer Quaker Oats, Old Fashioned Oats, 18 Oz.

Conclusion

Research suggests that oatmeal prices in the US from 2020 to 2025 ranged from approximately $1.39 per pound in 2020 to $1.61 per pound in 2025 (estimated), based on BLS data for dry oats and CPI adjustments. The evidence leans toward a gradual increase, reflecting inflation and market trends, though discrepancies with branded products highlight potential variations in market segments.